Gerry Adams Criticised For Comments On Unionists

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has been recorded at a public meeting in Enniskillen referring to unionist politicians as "b******s".

A speech by Mr Adams was recorded by a journalist from the Impartial Reporter, and he is heard saying "...the point is actually to break these b******s, that's the point." Mr Adams is understood to have been speaking in response to a question from an audience member about Sinn Féin's relationship with the Democratic Unionist Party in light of remarks made by MLA Gregory Campbell about the Irish language and Sinn Féin's manifesto.

In the recording Mr Adams goes on: "And what's going to break them is equality. That's what's going to break them - equality.

"Who could be afraid of equality? Who could be afraid of treating somebody the way you want to be treated?

"That's what we need to keep the focus on - that's the Trojan horse of the entire republican strategy is to rejoin the people on the basis of equality."

Unionist leaders have strongly criticised Mr Adams for his comments, calling them "insulting" to all unionists. However, Mr Adams has said that he was referring to "bigots", "racists" and "homophobes".

(MH/CD)